THE WORD
Is 29,17-24 / Mt 9,27-31
As Jesus passed [by], two blind men followed (him), crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.
IN OTHER WORDS
Once I sat beside a blind but attentive beggar. Just by the sound of a coin dropped into his can, he could decipher correctly how much it was. Or by the feel of paper money, he could tell a Php 20 bill from a Php 50 or Php 100.
God is great! Lacking one human sense, blind people have a more developed sense of hearing, smelling, tasting, and feeling or touch. Today’s gospel presents two blind men following Jesus and crying out. They might not see the Lord but their better sense of hearing led them to Jesus. When Jesus entered a house, they approached him there. Perhaps their sense of hearing and smell probably helped them encounter Jesus directly.
Two good things opened their way to the heart of the Lord who appreciated their efforts: their humility borne of a desperate search for a better life, and their simple uncluttered faith. Uttering “Son of David” showed their recognition of who Jesus was, and gave them the chance to ask for help. When Jesus himself asked if they had faith in him to heal them, they responded positively.
Do we have such kind of simple disposition and faith? We need to continue listening to the Lord and following his instructions, otherwise we get lost in the joy of basking in the Lord’s blessings and forget to follow his other instructions. The measure of how great our gratitude is could be seen in the effect of our faith life on those around us. It would also be good for us to take a more appreciative look at our senses and how we could use them better to further the Kingdom of God.
- Fr. Carlos Lariosa, SVD | Radio Veritas Asia, Q.C.
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
